ugc_banner

Indian Army veterans divided over commendation given to Major Gogoi

PTI
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: May 24, 2017, 08:11 AM IST
main img
File photo of Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi. Photograph:(ANI)

Story highlights

Major Leetul Gogoi, who had tied a man to a jeep in Kashmir purportedly as a shield against stone pelters, was given a commendation card on Monday || ||While some veterans criticised Gogoi's actions, others said he deserved more than just a commendation card

Army veterans today appeared to be divided over a commendation card which was awarded to Major Leetul Gogoi, who had tied a man to a jeep in Kashmir purportedly as a shield against stone pelters.

Lieutenant general (retd) H S Panag, former GOC-in-C, Northern Command, criticised the move saying Gogoi's action was unbecoming of the traditions followed by the Indian Army.

"IA (Indian Army) traditions, ethos, rules & regs swept away by the 'mood of the nation'! I stand by my views even if I am the last man standing!" Panag tweeted.

IA (Indian Army) traditions, ethos, rules & regs swept away by the 'mood of the nation'! I stand by my views even if I am the last man standing!' Lt Gen HS Panag tweeted
×

Gogoi was on Monday honoured with army chief's commendation card for his "sustained efforts in counter- insurgency operations".

Major general (retd) Ramesh Chopra came out in support of Gogoi.

"With his innovative thinking, he saved lives of people and that has to be appreciated. I give him full marks for his presence of mind," Chopra said.

Col Anil Kaul (retd), who served in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, said Gogoi deserved more than a commendation card because of his "out of the box thinking".

"He saved lives of people without even firing a bullet despite being attacked by stone pelters. His act should be applauded and he should be given a Shaurya Chakra," Kaul said.

Breaking his silence on Tuesday Gogoi said about 1200 stone- pelters had surrounded a small group of security personnel at a polling booth in Utligam village of Budgam district on April 9.

He claimed that if he had ordered firing, there could have been at least 12 casualties.

The mob, which included women and children, was threatening to set ablaze the polling booth, he claimed.

Amidst the mob, he claimed he saw a man who appeared to be the "ring leader" as he was "instigating" the stone-pelters at Utlgam on the day of bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

(PTI)